Visitors to the Land of Smiles are familiar with the frenetic pace of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, a city famous for its ancient temples, saffron-robed monks, traditional cuisine, bargain priced shopping and unrivalled nightlife. However, those with a sense of adventure, love of nature and connoisseurs appreciation for fine food and wines may be surprised to learn that the country reveals another side to its usual exotic image located a mere 1-2 hours drive beyond the city’s limits.

For a complete getaway experience, minus high-rise buildings and noisy crowds, Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s second largest national park located a short one-hour drive from Bangkok reveals a green and natural Thailand that most visitors to the country, as well as many Thai city dwellers, are completely unaware of.

Khao Yai National Park covers an area of 2,168 square kilometers and includes the verdant contrasts of evergreen forests and grasslands. Situated 400-1000 metres above sea level, this natural wonderland is home to 3,000 species of plants, 320 species of birds and 67 species of mammals, including Asiatic black bears, Asian elephants, gaur, tigers, gibbons, Indian sambar deer, Indian muntjac, dholes, and wild pigs.

Famous for it’s 50 kilometres of hiking trails, Khao Yai National Park is also home to numerous waterfalls, including the 80 metre high Heo Narok, as well as Haeo Suwat, instantly recognisable as featured in the film “The Beach”.

In 1984, Khao Yai National Park was declared an ASEAN Heritage Park, and in July 2005, together with other parks in the Dong Phaya Yen mountains, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Dong Phaya Yen–Khao Yai Forest Complex.

Located on the edge of the Park is the PB Valley Khao Yai Winery - Thailand’s only fully accredited winemaker. Established in 1989 by Dr. Piya Bhirombhakdi and set amid a lush 320-hectare plantation of which 80 hectares (500 rai) is dedicated to growing grapes, this visionary entrepreneur set about producing world class wines for the people of Thailand.

A total of 20 hectares and was planted with Shiraz red wine grapes and Chenin Blanc white wine grapes, featuring French rootstock and Tempranillo from Spain. The 1998 harvest proved to be a milestone at PB Valley Khao Yai Winery and the 1999 vintage proved that quality wine could be successfully produced in Thailand. With state-of-the-art technology, PB Valley Khao Yai Winery now produces world-class wines for Thais, as well as for export, and is regarded as the leading winery in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Located within the grounds of PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is “The Great Hornbill Grill”, providing guests with an exquisite selection of Thai and Western dishes accompanied by excellent wines produced onsite. Visitors also have an opportunity to learn about wine production from the winegrowers as they enjoy a leisurely stroll through the vines and production facilities. Families seeking a rare encounter with animals and life “down on the farm” should look no further than Farm Chokchai, located just 159 kilometres from Bangkok and home to the country’s largest dairy cattle farm.

Kids and kids-at-heart all enjoy the experiences featured as part of Farm Chokchai’s Agro Tour, such as milking cows, making fresh milk ice cream, watching live cowboy shows and talented farm dogs rounding up sheep and feeding animals to name just a few of the farm’s
many activities.

In addition to dairy farming, Farm Chokchai also features racehorse and equestrian stables and breeds horses for sale. There are also kennels, where a number of breeds for both work and show are sold. Horseback riding is available for tourists the facilities. The farm also houses an aviary, with a variety of tropical and exotic birds, including the Macaw, now happily calling the farm home.

Farm Chokchai is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Official holidays. It is also open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for group visits of at least
30 persons. Another idyllic getaway is The Rose Garden, just a one-hour drive from Bangkok and referred to as “the garden haven by the lake”. Set amid 70 lush acres, it was the fate of a single tree on the banks of the Ta Chine River in 1962 that first drew Dr Chamnan Yuvapurna to the area.

Sighting the tree from his boat, Dr Chamnan, a senior member of the Thai government, decided to rescue it. He bought the plot of land on which the tree was rooted, thinking it would make a nice family retreat for his wife and children. Just 32 kilometres southwest of Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom was then a quiet country district, with little development.

The Rose Garden is now a 50 acre botanical park employing a chief botanist and 68 full-time gardeners, each tending specialised zones. A walk around reveals numerous varieties of jasmine, orchids, roses, bananas, rare native species and therapeutic herbs. Graced by wildlife, including elephants, buffalo and flamingos, the property’s garden setting is an eclectic mix of influences and has become an important asset to Thailand’s botanical followers, preserving many species now rare or unfashionable, including century-old Bullet trees, 80-year-old coconut palms and 30 species of bananas.

Established in 1970, the Rose Garden’s cultural centre features interactive pavilions dedicated to Thai work, arts and lifestyle. Guests have a hands-on experience about every aspect of Thai culture – from rice cultivation to martial arts, folk cooking styles and fruit carving to elephant care and training. In the afternoon, a performance troupe entertains crowds with a lively display of? music and dance that spans the various Thai cultural groups from southern to northern extremes.

The Rose Garden Riverside Hotel comprises two wings, the Ta Chine Wing, featuring 83 rooms and suites, all with panoramic river views and private balconies, and Pet Kasem Wing featuring 77 rooms and suites, all with panoramic views of the surrounding unspoiled countryside. All rooms feature full air-conditioning; high speed Wi-Fi and ADSL Leased Line Internet; IDD telephones; a mini fridge and cable TV.

To experience a true Thai living experience, book into one of Rose Garden’s six restored 100-year old traditional Thai houses. Perched elegantly alongside the lake, and built entirely of teak, the Thai houses are one of the property's unique features. Lovingly restored and set on stilts overlooking a lake, they have been fitted with modern amenities for comfortable stays. Special features include two-to-four rooms; some with kitchen and mini-bar; air-conditioned rooms; IDD Telephones; WI-FI High Speed Internet/Leased Line Internet (ADSL); Satellite TV, Room Service, and luxurious polished wood living area.

Other amenities include an organic garden, which also supplies the resort's seven restaurants, and a spa, where guests can luxuriate while experiencing wonderful traditional Thai massages and other treatments.

Finally, for those who just have to keep their eye on the ball, is the 18-hole, par 72 Rose Garden Golf Course. Ranked as one of the top 25 holiday golf courses in the world, the course has a reputation for satisfying the most critical and demanding of golfers both on and off the course.

So, when visiting Thailand, remember to look beyond Bangkok – you will be surprised and delighted at all there is to see and do just a short drive away from the city’s hustle and bustle.